Dual screen electronic devices with stowable keyboards

ABSTRACT

Apparatus, systems, articles of manufacture, and methods have been disclosed that include example hinges that enable a physical keyboard to be stowed between halves of a closed electronic device with dual screens. An example device includes a first screen having a first end and a second end, a second screen having a first end and a second end, and a hinge assembly to couple the first screen and the second screen. The hinge assembly includes a first hinge pair and a second hinge pair. The first hinge pair and the second hinge pair are to cause the first end of the first screen and the first end of the second screen to be separated a first distance when the device is in a closed position. The second end of the first screen and the second end of the second screen are separated a second distance when the device is in a closed position, the second distance less than the first distance.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to electronic devices, and, moreparticularly, to dual screen electronic devices with stowable keyboards.

BACKGROUND

Dual screen electronic devices, such as dual screen laptops, typicallylack a physical keyboard. The keyboard may appear as a display on one ofthe screens.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side view of an example electronic device with an examplehinge and example keyboard in a closed position in accordance with theteachings of this disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a side view of a portion of the electronic device of FIG. 1Ain a first open position.

FIG. 1C is a side view of a portion of the electronic device of FIG. 1Ais a second open position.

FIGS. 2A-2F are perspective views of one side of the hinge of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 2G is a perspective view of the hinge of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged side view of first and second example hinge pairsincluding the components of FIGS. 2A and 2C that enable rotation of theelectronic device of FIGS. 1A-C.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged side view of a third example hinge pair includingthe components of FIG. 2B that enable rotation of the electronic deviceof FIGS. 1A-C.

FIG. 3C is an enlarged side view of first and second example sets oftorque plates of FIG. 2E that generate friction in the electronic deviceof FIGS. 1A-C.

FIG. 3D is an enlarged side view of a third example set of torque platesof FIG. 2E that generates friction in the electronic device of FIGS.1A-C.

FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of a portion of the exampleelectronic device of FIGS. 1A-C with an example flexible printed circuitboard and example cables.

FIG. 4B is a side view of the device of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a rear perspective view of a portion of the device of FIG.4A.

FIG. 5A is an illustration of an example electronic device in a closedposition.

FIG. 5B is an illustration of the example electronic device of FIG. 5Ain an open position with an example keyboard in a first position.

FIG. 5C is an enlarged view of the example device of FIG. 5B.

FIG. 5D is an illustration of the example device of FIG. 5B with analternative display.

FIG. 5E is an illustration of the example electronic device of FIG. 5Ain an open position with the example keyboard in a second position.

FIG. 5F is an enlarged view of the example device of FIG. 5E.

FIG. 5G is an illustration of the example electronic device of FIG. 5Ain an open position with the example keyboard in a third position.

FIG. 5H is an illustration of the example electronic device of FIG. 5Ain an open position with the example keyboard in a fourth position.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of portions of the electronic device of FIGS.1A-C including an example output generator.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart representative of machine readable instructionswhich may be executed to implement the portions of the electronic deviceand the output generator of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example processing platform structuredto execute the instructions of FIG. 7 to implement the portions of theelectronic device and the output generator of FIG. 6.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are illustrations of the example electronic deviceduring fabric assembly.

FIG. 10A is a side view of a portion of an example electronic device inan open position with a fabric cover.

FIG. 10B is side of the electronic device of FIG. 10A in a closedposition.

The figures are not to scale. Instead, some portions may be enlarged forclarity. In general, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the sameor like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Dual screen electronic devices such as, for example, dual screenlaptops, may provide a compromised typing experience due to a lack of aphysical keyboard. If a user desires to use a physical keyboard withconventional dual screen electronic devices, the keyboard is typicallycarried separately as an accessory. A wireless keyboard as an accessorymay be integrated as part of the cover. However, such keyboards arestored outside the electronic device, and the user needs to performextra steps to set up the experience including unfolding the cover,opening the device, prompting keyboard in the right place, andperforming all the same tasks in reverse order when closing the system.

Disclosed herein are example hinges that enable a physical keyboard tobe stowed between halves of a closed electronic device with dualscreens. A physical keyboard enhances the typing experience, and theexample hinges disclosed herein enable a physical keyboard to becomepart of the electronic device. With the examples disclosed herein, auser does not need to carry a separate external keyboard accessory.Storage and transportation of external keyboards is inconvenient, andthe example disclosed herein enable a user to transport a physicalkeyboard easily and effortlessly. In addition, the examples disclosedherein provide a system that is intuitive, easy to use, and immediatelyavailable when a user opens the electronic device.

FIG. 1A is a side view of an example electronic device 100. In theexample of FIG. 1A, the electronic device 100 is a dual screen laptop.Other examples may include other electronic devices such as, forexample, notebooks, mobile phones, e-readers, etc. The exampleelectronic device 100 includes a first screen 102 and a second screen104. As used herein “screen” indicates any suitable display, displaypanel, monitor, or presentation device. The first screen 102 and thesecond screen 104 are movably coupled via an example hinge assembly 106.The terms “hinge” and “hinge assembly” are used interchangeablythroughout this disclosure. and an example keyboard 104 in a closedposition in accordance with the teachings of this disclosure.

In the example of FIG. 1A, the electronic device 100 is in a closed modeor position. A first end 108 of the first screen 102 near the hinge 106and a first end 110 of the second screen 104 near the hinge 106 areseparated a first distance. A second end 112 of the first screen 102opposite the hinge 106 and a second end 114 of the second screen 104opposite the hinge 106 are separated a second distance. The seconddistance is less than the first distance such that the first screen 102and the second screen 104 form a wedge-shaped profile when in the closedposition that includes a gap 116. The hinge assembly 106 includes afirst hinge pair 118 and a second hinge pair 120 that enable theelectronic device 100 to have the wedge-shape and the gap 116 when inthe closed position of FIG. 1A. A physical keyboard 122 is stowable inthe gap 116. The keyboard 122 is separable or removable from the firstscreen 102 and the second screen 104.

FIG. 1B is a side view of a portion of the electronic device 100 of FIG.1A in a first open position. In this example, the first open positioncorresponds to a laptop position or mode. FIG. 1C is a side view of aportion of the electronic device 100 of FIG. 1A is a second openposition. In this example, the second open position corresponds to a layflat position or mode. FIGS. 1A-C show the hinge assembly 106 enabling180 degrees of rotation between the first screen 102 and the secondscreen 104. In other examples, the first hinge pair 118 and the secondhinge pair 120 enable 360 degrees of rotation between the first screen102 and the second screen 104.

FIGS. 2A-2F are perspective views of one side of the hinge assembly 106in the first open position of FIG. 1B. FIG. 2G is a perspective view ofthe full hinge assembly 106 in the first open position of FIG. 1B. Inthis example, the hinge assembly 106 includes an example first gear 202and an example second gear 204 as shown in FIG. 2A. The hinge assembly106 also includes an example first sync gear 206 and an example secondsync gear 208 as shown in FIG. 2B. The hinge assembly 106 also includesan example link gear 210 as shown in FIG. 2C. The hinge assembly 106also includes an example cable cover 212 as shown in FIG. 2D. The hingeassembly 106 also includes an example first set of torque plates 214, anexample second set of torque plates 216, and an example third set oftorque plates 218 as shown in FIG. 2E. The hinge assembly 106 alsoincludes an example first hinge pin 220, an example second hinge pin222, an example third hinge pin 224, and an example fourth hinge pin 226as shown in FIG. 2F.

In the illustrated example, the first gear 202 is a spur gear that is astationary spur gear that includes an extension 228 (FIG. 2A). Theextension 228 is mounted in the chassis of the second screen 104. Thefirst gear 202 is a stationary gear because the first gear 202 does notmove relative to the chassis of the second screen 104. Rather, movementof the first gear 202 causes movement of the second screen 104.

The first gear 202 has a spurred or toothed end 230 that meshes with androtatably engages a first spurred or toothed end 232 of the link gear210. In this example, the link gear 210 is a spur gear that has thefirst toothed end 232 and a second toothed end 234 (FIG. 2C).

The second gear 204 is a spur gear that is a stationary spur gear thatincludes an extension 236 (FIG. 2A). The extension 236 is mounted in thechassis of the first screen 102. The second gear 204 is a stationarygear because the second gear 204 does not move relative to the chassisof the first screen 102. Rather, movement of the second gear 204 causesmovement of the first screen 102.

The second gear 204 has a spurred or toothed end 238 that meshes withand rotatably engages the second toothed end 234 of the link gear 210(FIGS. 2A and 2C). Thus, the link gear 210 couples the first gear 202and the second gear 204.

As shown in the example of FIGS. 2A and 2F, the first hinge pin 220provides a first axis of rotation about which the first gear 202 is ableto be rotated. The fourth hinge pin 226 provides a fourth axis ofrotation about which the second gear 204 is able to be rotated. As shownin FIGS. 2C and 2F, the second hinge pin 222 provides a third axis ofrotation about which the link gear 210 is able to be rotated. The linkgear is also rotatable about a fourth axis of rotation provided by thethird hinge pin 224. In the illustrated example, the first axis ofrotation, the second axis of rotation, the third axis of rotation, andthe fourth axis of rotation are parallel.

The example hinge assembly 106 also includes the first sync gear 206 andthe second sync gear 208 as shown in FIG. 2B. In the illustratedexample, the first sync gear 206 and the second sync gear 208 are spurgears. The first sync gear 206 has a spurred or toothed end 240 thatmeshes with and rotatably engages a spurred or toothed end 242 of thesecond sync gear 208. The engagement of the toothed end 240 of the firstsync gear 206 with the toothed end 242 of the second sync gear 208 forma third hinge pair 244 between the first screen 102 and the secondscreen 104.

As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2F, the first sync gear 206 is rotatable aboutthe first axis of rotation provided by the first hinge pin 220 and thethird axis of rotation provided by the second hinge pin 222. The firstsync gear 206 is adjacent the first gear 202 along the first hinge pin220. The first sync gear 206 also is adjacent the link gear 210 alongthe second hinge pin 222. In this example, the first sync gear 206 isindirectly adjacent to the first gear 202 and the link gear 210.

The second sync gear 208 is rotatable about the fourth axis of rotationprovided by the third hinge pin 224 and the second axis of rotationprovided by the fourth hinge pin 226. The second sync gear 208 isadjacent the link gear 210 along the third hinge pin 224. The secondsync gear 208 also is adjacent the second gear 204 along the fourthhinge pin 226. In this example, the second sync gear 208 is indirectlyadjacent to the link gear 210 and the second gear 204. The sync gears206, 208 are used to synchronize the gear rotation, allowing synchronous360 degree rotation and a smooth user experience.

FIG. 2D shows the example cable cover 212. The cable cover 212 has leadthrough openings for flexible printed circuits and cables and allowssignals to be routed through the hinge assembly 106. In some examples,such as with cable connectors, the cable cover 212 can be split into twoparts and/or formed from two cable covers.

FIG. 2E illustrates the first set of torque plates 214, the second setof torque plates 216, and the third set of torque plates 218. FIG. 2Fshows the positioning and interaction of the torque plates 214, 216, 218and the hinge pins 220, 222, 224, 226. The torque plates 214, 216, and218 and the hinge pins 220, 222, 224, 226 are part of the hinge assembly106 disposed between the first screen 102 and the second screen 104. Thetorque plates 214, 216, and 218 and the hinge pins 220, 222, 224, 226generate friction for the hinge assembly 106.

In the illustrated example of FIG. 2E, each of the sets off torqueplates includes 10 individual torque plates disposed side-by-side. Thus,in this example, the first set of torque plates 214 includes ten torqueplates, the second set of torque plates 216 includes ten torque plates,and the third set of torque plates 218 includes ten torque plates. Inother examples, other numbers of torque plates may be included in eachset including, for example, one, two, three . . . eleven, twelve, etc.Also, in some examples, any of the sets of torque plates 214, 216, 218may include a different number of torque plates than any of the othersets of torque plates 214, 216, 218. The torque plate quantity andthickness is based on needed friction, which depends multiple parametersincluding, for example, device size, weight, material selection, etc.

Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the individual torque platesare disposed next to other torque plates in the respective sets oftorque plates, but the torque plates are not coupled to each other. Inother examples, torque plates in a set of torque plates may bemechanically or chemically fastened to each other.

The first set of torque plates 214 is positioned, in this example,adjacent and between the first sync gear 206 and both the first gear 202and the link gear 210. The first set of torque plates 214 is rotatableabout the first axis of rotation provided by the first hinge pin 220along with the first gear 202 and the first sync gear 206. The first setof torque plates 214 also is rotatable about the third axis of rotationprovided by the second hinge pin 222 along with the link gear 210 andthe first sync gear 206.

The second set of torque plates 216 is positioned, in this example,adjacent and between the second sync gear 208 and both link gear 210 andthe second gear 204. The second set of torque plate 216 is rotatableabout the fourth axis of rotation provided by the third hinge pin 224along with the link gear 210 and the second sync gear 208. The secondset of torque plates 216 also is rotatable about the second axis ofrotation provided by the fourth hinge pin 226 along with the second syncgear 208 and the second gear 204.

The third set of torque plates 218 is positioned, in this example,adjacent and between the cable cover 212 and both the first sync gear206 and the second sync gear 208. The third set of torque plates 218 isrotatable about the third axis of rotation provided by the second hingepin 222 along with the first sync gear 206, the first set of torqueplates 214, and the link gear 210. The third set of torque plates 218also is rotatable about the fourth axis of rotation provided by thethird hinge pin 224 along with the second sync gear 208, the second setof torque plates 216, and the link gear 210.

In the illustrated example, the torque plates 214, 216, 218 are forcedon the respective hinge pins 220, 222, 224, 226 via a friction fit. Thefriction is generated by holes in the torque plates have diameterssmaller than the respective diameters of the corresponding hinge pins220, 222, 224, 226.

FIG. 2G shows the full hinge assembly 106. FIG. 2G shows that in thisexample, the combination of the gears 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, thetorque plates 214, 216, 218, and the hinge pins 220, 222, 224, 226, areduplicated on both sides of the hinge assembly 106. In this example, thehinge assembly 106 is symmetrical, for example each side is mirrored onthe other side. Some or all of the components of the hinge assembly 106provide means for rotatably coupling the first screen 102 and the secondscreen 104 to enable the first screen 102 and the second screen 104 tomove from an open position to a closed position. The means for rotatablycoupling the first screen 102 and the second screen 104 enables 360degrees of rotation between the first screen 102 and the second screen104.

FIG. 3A is a side view of the first hinge pair 118 and the second hingepair 120 in the electronic device 100 as positioned in the open positionof FIG. 1B. The first hinge pair 118 and the second hinge pair 120includes the components of FIGS. 2A and 2C that enable rotation of theelectronic device 100 as disclosed above. FIG. 3B is a side view of thethird hinge pair 244 in the electronic device 100 as positioned in theopen position of FIG. 1B. The third hinge pair includes the componentsof FIG. 2B that enable rotation of the electronic device 100.

FIG. 3C is a side view of the first set of torque plates 214 and thesecond set of torque plates 216 of FIG. 2E that generate friction in theelectronic device 100. FIG. 3D is a side view of the third set of torqueplates 218 of FIG. 2E that generates friction in the electronic device100. Collectively, FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate synchronization of thecomponents of the hinge assembly 106.

FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of a portion of the exampleelectronic device 100 with an example flexible printed circuit board 402and example cables 404. FIG. 4B is a side view of the device of FIG. 4A.FIG. 4C is a rear perspective view of the device of FIG. 4A. Theflexible printed circuit board 402 is routed from the chassis of thefirst screen 102 to the chassis of the second screen 104 via the hingeassembly 106. In addition, the cables 404 are routed from the chassis ofthe first screen 102 to the chassis of the second screen 104 via thehinge assembly 106. A portion of the flexible printed circuit board 402and portions of the cables 404 are disposed through the cable cover 212.The flexible printed circuit board 402 and the cables 404 can beaccessed for servicing, for example, by removable of one or both of thedisplays of the first screen 102 and/or second screen 104 and without,for example, disassembling the exterior of the electronic device 100.

FIG. 5A shows the example electronic device 100 in a closed positionsimilar to FIG. 1A with the keyboard 122 stowed therein. FIGS. 5B-5Hshow that the keyboard 122 may be used with the first screen 102 andsecond screen 104 in a plurality of positions. For example, in FIGS.5B-D the keyboard 122 is positioned on the first screen 102 in a firstposition near the hinge 106. In FIGS. 5E and 5F, the keyboard 112 ispositioned on the first screen 102 in a second position further from thehinge 106 than the first position of FIG. 5B. In FIG. 5G, the keyboard122 is positioned on the first screen 102 in a third position furtherfrom the hinge 106 than the first position of FIG. 5B and the secondposition of FIG. 5E. In FIG. 5H, the keyboard 122 is positioned off ofthe first screen 102.

The visual display on the first screen 102 and the second screen 104 andthe mode of the electronic device 100 changes as the keyboard 122 isslid or otherwise rearranged or moved to different positions on thefirst screen 102. For example, with the keyboard 122 in the position ofFIG. 5B, a touchpad 502 appears on the lower portion of the first screen102. FIG. 5C is an enlarged view of the first screen 102 of FIG. 5B.FIG. 5C is also an enlarged view of the first screen 102 with thekeyboard 122 in the first position closer to the hinge 106. FIG. 5Dshows an alternative display, specifically example piano keys. Thus,when the keyboard is in the first position closer to the hinge 106, thesecond of the first screen 102 closer to the user (e.g., where a userwould rest his or her palms) enables a plurality of interactions andtools. The size and the position of the first screen 102 are easily andcomfortably reached. In addition, the track pad is flexible andcustomizable so that the user can select a display and/or other toolsfor use on the first screen 102 in the area between the keyboard 122 andthe user including, for example, the track pad, notes, a midicontroller, a piano, a sketch surface, and other tools and/orfunctionality.

In another example, when the keyboard 122 is moved towards the user(e.g., the keyboard 122 is slid down or otherwise repositioned on thefirst screen 102), the user interface can prompt contextual interactionsand/or other tools and functionality. For example, with the keyboard 122in the position of FIG. 5E, a function key (e.g., F1-F12) bar and anemoji bar appear on the first screen 102 between the keyboard 122 andthe hinge 106. FIG. 5F is an enlarged view of the first screen 102 ofFIG. 5E. In this example, the user interface reacts to change in thescreen positioning and sizing. The additional tools and/or functionalityin this example include contextual interactions, emoji, predictive text,music controls, etc.

In another example, as illustrated in FIG. 5G, the keyboard 122 is movedto another position on the first screen 102 further from the hinge 106.In this example, the keyboard 122 is on top of the first screen 102, ator near the edge closer to the user. In this example, the display of thefirst screen 102 above the keyboard 122 (i.e., closer to the hinge 106)has a larger area than shown in the example of FIG. 5E. The userinterface reacts to change in the screen positioning and sizing. Theadditional tools and/or functionality in this example includemultitasking performance such as, for example, chats, social media,broadcast user interface, etc. Other display types may be used in otherexamples.

In yet another example, with the keyboard 122 in the position of FIG.5H, the first screen 102 becomes a full image display. In otherexamples, other screen configurations, displays, and/or functionalitiesmay be presented.

In these examples, there is a fluid dual screen/keyboard userexperience. In this example, the first screen 102 animates real-timereacting to the position of the keyboard 122. The reaction of the firstscreen 102 to the position of the keyboard allows for new paradigms ofuser interaction with the electronic device 100. As the user slides thekeyboard 122 down or otherwise moves the keyboard 122 on the firstscreen 102 or off of the first screen 102, the user can access differentfunctionalities including, for example, shifting touchpad userinterfacing and/or operating system soft-keyboard functionality (suchas, for example, predictive text, notifications, emoji, pen-input,voice-input, etc.). The adaptation of the first screen 102 to theposition of the keyboard also allows for dynamic shifting app extensionsand/or toolbars.

In the illustrated example, the keyboard 122 is wirelessly coupled tothe electronic device 100 using, for example, Bluetooth or any suitablecommunication means. In this example, keyboard 122 automatically pairsand charges with the electronic device 100 via a keyboard transceiver510 and a corresponding transceiver 512 on the electronic device 100(see FIG. 5H). In addition, in this example, the keyboard 122 sits ontop of the surface of the first screen 102 and may be slid therealong.In some examples, the keyboard 122 is help into one or more positionsvia magnets 520 (see FIG. 5H). Other suitable modes and means forcommunicatively and/or physically coupling the keyboard 122 to theelectronic device 100 may be used.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of portions of the electronic device 100including an example output generator 600. The output generator 600generates displays, interfaces, alarms, and other suitable output basedon the position of one or more of the first screen 102, the secondscreen 104, the hinge 106, and/or the keyboard 122. The output generator600 provides the dynamic user interface action and reactions disclosedabove.

The output generator 600 includes an example keyboard detector 602. Thekeyboard detector 602 provides means for detecting the position orplacement of the keyboard 122. For example, the keyboard detector 602determines if the keyboard 122 is positioned on the first screen 102close to the hinge 106 as shown in FIG. 5B. The keyboard detector 602detects the position of the keyboard 122 on the first screen 102, thesecond screen 104, and/or off of either screen 102, 104 such as, forexample, as shown in FIG. 5D.

The output generator 600 also includes an example display selector 604.The example display selector 604 provides means for selecting a displayincluding, for example, a user interface. The display selector 604selects the display based on the position of the keyboard 122 asindicated by the keyboard detector 602. The display selector 604accesses a display library 606 to select a display for presentation onthe first screen 102 and/or the second screen 104. As disclosed above,the display may include full screen displays, tool bars, emoji bars,touchpads, function keys, and/or any other suitable user interfacingand/or operating system functionality.

The output generator 600 also includes an example hinge/screen detector608. The hinge/screen detector 608 provides means for detecting theclosed position of the electronic device 100 and one or more of the openpositions. The hinge/screen detector 608 detects the position of thehinge 106 and/or the position of one or more of the first screen 102 orthe second screen 104. The position of the first screen 102, the secondscreen 104, and/or the hinge 106 is indicative of the operating mode ofthe electronic device including, for example, a laptop mode, a flatmode, a book mode, a tent mode, a tablet mode, or a power down andclosed mode. The display selector 604 may select the display also basedon the position of the first screen 102, the second screen 104, and/orthe hinge 106.

The output generator 600 also includes an example alarm generator 610.The example alarm generator provides means for providing a notice or analarm 612 based on the position of the keyboard 122 and the first screen102, the second screen 104, and/or the hinge 106. The alarm generator610 uses data from the keyboard detector 602 and data from thehinge/screen detector 608 to determine if the electronic device 100 isin the closed position and if the keyboard 122 is positioned on thefirst screen 102 or the second screen 104 and located within the gap116. If the hinge/screen detector 608 detects that the hinge 106 and/orthe screens 102, 104 are in the closed position, and the keyboarddetector 602 detects that the keyboard 122 is located on the firstscreen 102 or the second screen 104, the alarm generator 610 determinesthat the keyboard 122 is properly stowed and does not generate the alarm612. However, if the hinge/screen detector 608 detects that the hinge106 and/or the screens 102, 104 are in the closed position, and thekeyboard detector 602 detects that the keyboard 122 is not located onthe first screen 102 or the second screen 104, the alarm generator 610determines that the keyboard 122 is missing and not properly stowed. Thealarm generator 610 generates the alarm 612 in this example to warn theuser about the missing keyboard 122.

While an example manner of implementing the example electronic device100 of FIGS. 1A-C is illustrated in FIG. 6, one or more of the elements,processes and/or devices illustrated in FIG. 6 may be combined, divided,re-arranged, omitted, eliminated and/or implemented in any other way.Further, the example keyboard detector 602, the example display selector604, the example display library 606, the example hinge/screen detector608, the example alarm generator 610, and/or, more generally, theexample output generator 600 of FIG. 6 may be implemented by hardware,software, firmware and/or any combination of hardware, software and/orfirmware. Thus, for example, any of the example keyboard detector 602,the example display selector 604, the example display library 606, theexample hinge/screen detector 608, the example alarm generator 610,and/or, more generally, the example output generator 600 could beimplemented by one or more analog or digital circuit(s), logic circuits,programmable processor(s), programmable controller(s), graphicsprocessing unit(s) (GPU(s)), digital signal processor(s) (DSP(s)),application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logicdevice(s) (PLD(s)) and/or field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)).When reading any of the apparatus or system claims of this patent tocover a purely software and/or firmware implementation, at least one ofthe example, keyboard detector 602, the example display selector 604,the example display library 606, the example hinge/screen detector 608,the example alarm generator 610, and/or the example output generator 600is/are hereby expressly defined to include a non-transitory computerreadable storage device or storage disk such as a memory, a digitalversatile disk (DVD), a compact disk (CD), a Blu-ray disk, etc.including the software and/or firmware. Further still, the exampleelectronic device 100 and/or output generator 600 may include one ormore elements, processes and/or devices in addition to, or instead of,those illustrated in FIG. 6, and/or may include more than one of any orall of the illustrated elements, processes and devices. As used herein,the phrase “in communication,” including variations thereof, encompassesdirect communication and/or indirect communication through one or moreintermediary components, and does not require direct physical (e.g.,wired) communication and/or constant communication, but ratheradditionally includes selective communication at periodic intervals,scheduled intervals, aperiodic intervals, and/or one-time events.

A flowchart representative of example hardware logic, machine readableinstructions, hardware implemented state machines, and/or anycombination thereof for implementing the output generator 600 of FIG. 6is shown in FIG. 6. The machine readable instructions may be anexecutable program or portion of an executable program for execution bya computer processor such as the processor 812 shown in the exampleprocessor platform 800 discussed below in connection with FIG. 8. Theprogram may be embodied in software stored on a non-transitory computerreadable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a hard drive, aDVD, a Blu-ray disk, or a memory associated with the processor 812, butthe entire program and/or parts thereof could alternatively be executedby a device other than the processor 812 and/or embodied in firmware ordedicated hardware. Further, although the example program is describedwith reference to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 7, many othermethods of implementing the example output generator 600 mayalternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocksmay be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed,eliminated, or combined. Additionally or alternatively, any or all ofthe blocks may be implemented by one or more hardware circuits (e.g.,discrete and/or integrated analog and/or digital circuitry, an FPGA, anASIC, a comparator, an operational-amplifier (op-amp), a logic circuit,etc.) structured to perform the corresponding operation withoutexecuting software or firmware.

As mentioned above, the example processes of FIG. 7 may be implementedusing executable instructions (e.g., computer and/or machine readableinstructions) stored on a non-transitory computer and/or machinereadable medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-onlymemory, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a cache, arandom-access memory and/or any other storage device or storage disk inwhich information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended timeperiods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarily buffering,and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, the termnon-transitory computer readable medium is expressly defined to includeany type of computer readable storage device and/or storage disk and toexclude propagating signals and to exclude transmission media.

“Including” and “comprising” (and all forms and tenses thereof) are usedherein to be open ended terms. Thus, whenever a claim employs any formof “include” or “comprise” (e.g., comprises, includes, comprising,including, having, etc.) as a preamble or within a claim recitation ofany kind, it is to be understood that additional elements, terms, etc.may be present without falling outside the scope of the correspondingclaim or recitation. As used herein, when the phrase “at least” is usedas the transition term in, for example, a preamble of a claim, it isopen-ended in the same manner as the term “comprising” and “including”are open ended. The term “and/or” when used, for example, in a form suchas A, B, and/or C refers to any combination or subset of A, B, C such as(1) A alone, (2) B alone, (3) C alone, (4) A with B, (5) A with C, (6) Bwith C, and (7) A with B and with C.

In execution of the program 700 of FIG. 7, the keyboard detector 602 ofthe output generator 600 determines the position of the keyboard 122(block 702). In addition, the hinge/screen detector 608 determines theposition of one or more of the first screen 102, the second screen 104,and/or the hinge 106 (block 704). The display selector 604 and the alarmgenerator 610 determine if the keyboard 122 is positioned on the firstscreen 102 or the second screen 104 based on data from the keyboarddetector 602 (block 706). In addition, the display selector 604 and thealarm generator 610 determine if the electronic device 100 is in an openposition based on the data from the hinge/screen detector 608 (block708).

If the keyboard 122 is located on a screen (block 706) and theelectronic device 100 is not open (block 708), the display selector 604takes no action and the alarm generator 610 takes no action (block 710).The display selector 604 take no action because the electronic device100 is closed, and the alarm generator 610 takes no action because thekeyboard 122 is properly stowed. The example program 700 then continueswith the keyboard detector 602 detecting the position of the keyboard122 (block 702) during a subsequent use of the electronic device 100.

If the keyboard 122 is located on a screen (block 706) and theelectronic device 100 is open (block 708), the display selector 604selector selects from the display library 606 what elements of a displayto present to the user based on the position of the keyboard relative tothe opened screens (block 712). The display selector 604 outputs thedisplay to the screens 102, 104 (block 714).

The keyboard detector 602 determines if the keyboard 122 has been moved(block 716). If the keyboard 122 has not been moved, the displayselector 604 continues to output the selected display (block 714). Ifthe keyboard detector 602 detects that the keyboard 122 has been moved,example program 700 then continues with the keyboard detector 602detecting the position of the keyboard 122 (block 702).

Returning to block 706, if the display selector 604 and the alarmgenerator 610 determine that the keyboard 122 is not positioned on thefirst screen 102 or the second screen 104 based on data from thekeyboard detector 602 (block 706), the display selector 604 and thealarm generator 610 determine if the electronic device 100 is in aclosed position based on the data from the hinge/screen detector 608(block 718).

If the keyboard 122 is not on a screen 102, 104 (block 706) and thedevice 100 is not in a closed position (block 718), the display selector604 selects a display for presentation on the screens 102, 104 (block712). For example, the display selector 604 may select a two screen,full image display. The program 700 then continues as disclosed above.

If the keyboard 122 is not on a screen 102, 104 (block 706) and thedevice 100 is in a closed position (block 718), the alarm generator 610determines that the keyboard 122 is not properly stowed and may bemissing. The alarm generator 610 generates and sounds an alarm orotherwise outputs a notification that the keyboard 122 has not beenstowed before the electronic device 100 was move to the closed position(block 720). The example program 700 then ends.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example processor platform 800structured to execute the instructions of FIG. 7 to implement theelectronic device 100 and/or output generator 600 of FIG. 6. Theprocessor platform 800 can be, for example, a server, a personalcomputer, a workstation, a self-learning machine (e.g., a neuralnetwork), a mobile device (e.g., a cell phone, a smart phone, a tabletsuch as an iPad™), a personal digital assistant (PDA), an Internetappliance, a DVD player, a CD player, a digital video recorder, aBlu-ray player, a gaming console, a personal video recorder, a set topbox, a headset or other wearable device, or any other type of computingdevice.

The processor platform 800 of the illustrated example includes aprocessor 812. The processor 812 of the illustrated example is hardware.For example, the processor 812 can be implemented by one or moreintegrated circuits, logic circuits, microprocessors, GPUs, DSPs, orcontrollers from any desired family or manufacturer. The hardwareprocessor may be a semiconductor based (e.g., silicon based) device. Inthis example, the processor 812 implements the output generator 600, thekeyboard detector 602, the display selector 604, the display library606, the hinge/screen detector 608, and/or the alarm generator 610.

The processor 812 of the illustrated example includes a local memory 813(e.g., a cache). The processor 812 of the illustrated example is incommunication with a main memory including a volatile memory 814 and anon-volatile memory 816 via a bus 818. The volatile memory 814 may beimplemented by Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), DynamicRandom Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS® Dynamic Random Access Memory(RDRAM®) and/or any other type of random access memory device. Thenon-volatile memory 816 may be implemented by flash memory and/or anyother desired type of memory device. Access to the main memory 814, 816is controlled by a memory controller.

The processor platform 800 of the illustrated example also includes aninterface circuit 820. The interface circuit 820 may be implemented byany type of interface standard, such as an Ethernet interface, auniversal serial bus (USB), a Bluetooth® interface, a near fieldcommunication (NFC) interface, and/or a PCI express interface.

In the illustrated example, one or more input devices 822 are connectedto the interface circuit 820. The input device(s) 822 permit(s) a userto enter data and/or commands into the processor 1012. The inputdevice(s) can be implemented by, for example, an audio sensor, amicrophone, a camera (still or video), a keyboard, a button, a mouse, atouchscreen, a track-pad, a trackball, isopoint and/or a voicerecognition system.

One or more output devices 824 are also connected to the interfacecircuit 820 of the illustrated example. The output devices 1024 can beimplemented, for example, by display devices (e.g., a light emittingdiode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a cathode ray tube display (CRT), an in-place switching(IPS) display, a touchscreen, etc.), a tactile output device, a printerand/or speaker. The interface circuit 820 of the illustrated example,thus, typically includes a graphics driver card, a graphics driver chipand/or a graphics driver processor.

The interface circuit 820 of the illustrated example also includes acommunication device such as a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, amodem, a residential gateway, a wireless access point, and/or a networkinterface to facilitate exchange of data with external machines (e.g.,computing devices of any kind) via a network 826. The communication canbe via, for example, an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line(DSL) connection, a telephone line connection, a coaxial cable system, asatellite system, a line-of-site wireless system, a cellular telephonesystem, etc.

The processor platform 800 of the illustrated example also includes oneor more mass storage devices 828 for storing software and/or data.Examples of such mass storage devices 828 include floppy disk drives,hard drive disks, compact disk drives, Blu-ray disk drives, redundantarray of independent disks (RAID) systems, and digital versatile disk(DVD) drives.

The machine executable instructions 832 of FIG. 7 may be stored in themass storage device 828, in the volatile memory 814, in the non-volatilememory 816, and/or on a removable non-transitory computer readablestorage medium such as a CD or DVD.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are illustrations of the electronic device 100 duringfabric assembly. FIG. 9A is a rear view of the first screen 102, secondscreen 104, and hinge 106 as a fabric cover 900 is used to cover theseelements. FIG. 9B is a front view of the electronic device 100 with thefabric cover 900 assembled. FIG. 10A is a side view of a portion of theexample electronic device 100 in the open position with the fabric cover900. FIG. 10B is side of the electronic device 100 and fabric cover 900of FIG. 10A in the closed position.

The fabric cover 900 unifies the appearance of the front and rear of thefirst screen 102, second screen 104, and hinge 106. The fabric cover 900also hides hinge structures and signal routing. The fabric cover 900provides flexibility, durability, airflow, and tactility. In someexamples, the fabric cover 900 is a thin symmetrical form with enhancesaesthetics. Furthermore, the fabric cover facilities holding and liftingthe electronic device 100.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that example apparatus,systems, articles of manufacture, and methods have been disclosed thatinclude example hinges that enable a physical keyboard to be stowedbetween halves of a closed electronic device with dual screens. Aphysical keyboard enhances the typing experience, and the example hingesdisclosed herein enable a physical keyboard to become part of theelectronic device instead of requiring a user to acquire and carry aseparate external keyboard accessory.

Furthermore, the examples disclosed herein include hinges that are notrestricted by size or complexity and that facilitate the integrations ofcables and flexible printed circuits. Further, these examples increasethe amount of signals that can be lead through the hinge. Limited signalcount limits where input/output ports can be placed (e.g. in a limitedsystem, a USB may have to be located in the same half of the electronicdevice as the main printed circuit board). However, in the examplesdisclose herein, there is greater flexibility. More signals can be sentbetween the halves of the electronic device, which enables wideralternative for placement of, for example, input/output ports andoverall device design.

In addition, the examples disclosed herein provide an enhanced userexperience because the displays presented on the screens a dynamic andprovide a fluid user interface based on the position of the keyboard.Thus, users can leverage the keyboard position to present additionaland/or alternative functionality including different user interfacesand/or different operating system functions.

Examples disclosed herein include apparatus, systems, articles ofmanufacture, and methods that include example hinges that enable aphysical keyboard to be stowed between halves of a closed electronicdevice with dual screens. Example 1 includes a device that includes afirst screen having a first end and a second end and a second screenhaving a first end and a second end. The device of Example 1 alsoincludes a hinge assembly to couple the first screen and the secondscreen. In Example 1, the hinge assembly includes a first hinge pair anda second hinge pair, the first hinge pair and the second hinge pair tocause the first end of the first screen and the first end of the secondscreen to be separated a first distance when the device is in a closedposition. In Example 1, the second end of the first screen and thesecond end of the second screen are separated a second distance when thedevice is in a closed position, the second distance less than the firstdistance.

Example 2 includes the device of Example 1, wherein the device has awedge-shaped profile in the closed position.

Example 3 includes the device of Example 1, wherein the first distancecreates a gap when the device is in the closed position.

Example 4 includes the device of Example 3, and further includes aphysical keyboard stowable in the gap.

Example 5 includes the device of Example 4, wherein the keyboard ismagnetically couplable to at least one of the first screen or the secondscreen.

Example 6 includes the device of Example 4, wherein the keyboard isremovably couplable to at least one of the first screen or the secondscreen.

Example 7 includes the device of Example 6, wherein the keyboard iscouplable to a plurality of positions on at least one of the firstscreen or the second screen.

Example 8 includes the device of Example 7, and further includes akeyboard detector to detect a position of the keyboard relative to thefirst screen or second screen.

Example 9 includes the device of Example 8, and further includes adisplay selector to select a user interface to display based on theposition of the keyboard.

Example 10 includes the device of Example 8, further including an alarmto output a notice if the device is moved from an open to the closedposition without the keyboard detector detecting a presence of thekeyboard.

Example 11 includes the device of Example 1, wherein the hinge assemblyenables 360 degrees of rotation between the first screen and the secondscreen.

Example 12 includes the device of Example 1, wherein the first hingepair includes a first gear coupled to a link gear.

Example 13 includes the device of Example 12, wherein the first gear isrotatably coupled to the link gear.

Example 14 includes the device of Example 12, wherein the first hingepair includes a second gear coupled to the link gear.

Example 15 includes the device of Example 14, wherein the second gear isrotatably coupled to the link gear.

Example 16 includes the device of Example 14, wherein the first gear iscoupled to a first end of the link gear and the second gear is coupledto a second end of the link gear, the second end opposite the first end.

Example 17 includes the device of Example 14, wherein the first gearincludes a first extension disposed within a first chassis of the firstscreen and the second gear includes a second extension disposed within asecond chassis of the second screen.

Example 18 includes the device of Example 1, and further includes athird hinge pair disposed between the first screen and the secondscreen.

Example 19 includes the device of Example 18, wherein the third hingepair includes a first sync gear coupled to a second sync gear.

Example 20 includes the device of Example 19, and further includes alink gear, wherein the first sync gear is coupled to the link gear via afirst hinge pin, and the second sync gear is couple to the link gear viaa second hinge pin.

Example 21 includes the device of Example 1, and further includes afirst torque plate and a second torque plate disposed between the firstscreen and the second screen.

Example 22 includes the device of Example 21, and further includes afirst gear, a second gear, and a link gear, wherein the first torqueplate is coupled to the first gear via a first hinge pin, the firsttorque plate is coupled to the link gear first a second hinge pin, thesecond torque plate is coupled to the link gear via a third hinge pin,and the second torque plate is coupled to the second gear via a fourthhinge pin.

Example 23 includes the device of Example 22, and further includes athird torque plate coupled to the second hinge pin and the third hingepin.

Example 24 includes the device of Example 22, and further includes athird hinge pair disposed between the first screen and the secondscreen, wherein the third hinge pair includes a first sync gear coupledto a second sync gear, the first sync gear coupled to the first hingepin and the second hinge pin, the second sync gear coupled to the thirdhinge pin and the fourth hinge pin.

Example 25 includes the device of Example 1, and further includes aflexible printed circuit disposed between the first screen, the firsthinge pair, the second hinge pair, and the second screen.

Example 26 includes the device of Example 1, and further includes afabric covering to cover the hinge assembly.

Example 27 includes a device that includes a first screen having a firstend and a second end and a second screen having a first end and a secondend. The device in Example 27 also includes a means for rotatablycoupling the first screen and the second screen to enable the firstscreen and the second screen to move from an open position to a closedposition. In Example 27, the first end of the first screen and the firstend of the second screen are separated a first distance when the deviceis in the closed position, and the second end of the first screen andthe second end of the second screen are separated a second distance whenthe device is in a closed position, the second distance less than thefirst distance.

Example 28 includes the device of Example 27, wherein the device has awedge-shaped profile in the closed position.

Example 29 includes the device of Example 27, wherein the first distancecreates a gap when the device is in the closed position.

Example 30 includes the device of Example 29, and further includes aphysical keyboard stowable in the gap.

Example 31 includes the device of Example 30, and further includes meansfor coupling the keyboard to at least one of the first screen or thesecond screen.

Example 32 includes the device of Example 31, wherein the means forcoupling the keyboard removably couples the keyboard to at least one ofthe first screen or the second screen.

Example 33 includes the device of Example 31, wherein the means forcoupling the keyboard enables the keyboard to be coupled to a pluralityof positions on at least one of the first screen or the second screen.

Example 34 includes the device of Example 33, and further includes meansfor detecting a position of the keyboard relative to the first screen orsecond screen.

Example 35 includes the device of Example 34, and further includes meansfor selecting a user interface to display based on the position of thekeyboard.

Example 36 includes the device of Example 33, and further includes meansfor detecting the open position or the closed position.

Example 36 also includes means for outputting a notice if the device ismoved from the open to the closed position without the means fordetecting a position of the keyboard detecting a presence of thekeyboard on at least one of the first screen or the second screen.

Example 37 includes the device of Example 27, wherein the means forrotatably coupling enables 360 degrees of rotation between the firstscreen and the second screen.

Example 38 includes a method that includes placing a physical keyboardon the first screen of the device of Example 1 and rotating the hingeassembly to draw the second screen toward the first screen while thekeyboard is placed on the first screen to close the device.

Example 39 includes a non-transitory computer readable storage mediumthat includes computer readable instructions that, when executed, causeone or more machines to, at least: detect a position of a physicalkeyboard relative to a screen of an electronic device; select a firstuser interface to display on the screen to the user when the keyboard isin a first position relative to the screen; and select a second userinterface to display on the screen to the user when the keyboard is in asecond position relative to the screen, the second position differentfrom the first position.

Example 40 includes the storage medium of Example 39, wherein the screenis a first screen, the electronic device including a second screen thatis hinged to the first screen, and wherein the instructions furthercause the one or more machines to: detect when the second screen ismoved from an open to a closed position; and output a notice if thesecond screen is moved from the open to the closed position without thedetecting a presence of the keyboard on the first screen.

Example 41 includes a method that includes: detecting, by executinginstructions with a processor, placement of a physical keyboard relativeto a screen of an electronic device; selecting, by executinginstructions with the processor, a first user interface to display onthe screen to the user when the keyboard is in a first position relativeto the screen; and selecting, by executing instructions with theprocessor, a second user interface to display on the screen to the userwhen the keyboard is in a second position relative to the screen, thesecond position different from the first position.

Example 42 includes the method of Example 41, wherein the screen is afirst screen, the electronic device including a second screen that ishinged to the first screen, and wherein the method further includes:detecting, by executing instructions with the processor, when the secondscreen is moved from an open to a closed position; and outputting, byexecuting instructions with the processor, a notice if the second screenis moved from the open to the closed position without the detecting apresence of the keyboard on the first screen.

Example 43 includes an apparatus to couple a first screen and a secondscreen of an electronic device. The apparatus of Example 43 includes afirst gear rotatable about a first axis of rotation and a second gearrotatable about a second axis of rotation. The apparatus of Example 43also includes a link gear rotatably coupled to the first gear androtatably coupled to the second gear.

Example 44 includes the apparatus of Example 43, wherein the link gearrotatable about a third axis of rotation and rotatable about a fourthaxis of rotation.

Example 45 includes the apparatus of Example 44, wherein the first axisof rotation, the second axis of rotation, the third axis of rotation,and the fourth axis of rotation are parallel.

Example 46 includes the apparatus of Example 44, and further includes afirst torque plate rotatable about the first axis of rotation adjacentthe first gear and rotatable about the third axis adjacent the linkgear.

Example 47 includes the apparatus of Example 46, and further includes asecond torque plate rotatable about the second axis of rotation adjacentthe second gear and rotatable about the fourth axis of rotation adjacentthe link gear.

Example 48 includes the apparatus of Example 47, and further includes afirst sync gear rotatable about the first axis of rotation and rotatableabout the third axis of rotation adjacent the first torque plate.

Example 49 includes the apparatus of Example 48, and further includes asecond sync gear rotatable about the second axis of rotation androtatable about the fourth axis of rotation adjacent the second torqueplate.

Example 50 includes the apparatus of Example 49, and further includes athird torque plate rotatable about the third axis of rotation adjacentthe first sync gear and rotatable about the fourth axis of rotationadjacent the second sync gear.

Example 51 includes the apparatus of Example 44, and further includes afirst sync gear rotatable about the first axis of rotation with thefirst gear and rotatable about the third axis with the link gear.

Example 52 includes the apparatus of Example 51, and further includes asecond sync gear rotatable about the second axis of rotation with thesecond gear and rotatable about the fourth axis of rotation with thelink gear.

Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacturehave been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is notlimited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods,apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope ofthe claims of this patent.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a first screen having afirst end and a second end; a second screen having a first end and asecond end; a hinge assembly to couple the first screen and the secondscreen, the hinge assembly including: a first hinge pair; and a secondhinge pair, the first hinge pair and the second hinge pair to cause thefirst end of the first screen and the first end of the second screen tobe separated a first distance when the device is in a closed position,wherein the second end of the first screen and the second end of thesecond screen are separated a second distance when the device is in aclosed position, the second distance less than the first distance,wherein the first distance creates a gap when the device is in theclosed position; and a physical keyboard stowable in the gap.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the device has a wedge-shaped profile in theclosed position.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the keyboard ismagnetically couplable to at least one of the first screen or the secondscreen.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the keyboard is removablycouplable to at least one of the first screen or the second screen. 5.The device of claim 4, wherein the keyboard is couplable to a pluralityof positions on at least one of the first screen or the second screen.6. The device of claim 5, further including a keyboard detector todetect a position of the keyboard relative to the first screen or thesecond screen.
 7. The device of claim 6, further including a displayselector to select a user interface to display based on the position ofthe keyboard.
 8. The device of claim 6, further including an alarm tooutput a notice if the device is moved from an open to the closedposition without the keyboard detector detecting a presence of thekeyboard.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly enables360 degrees of rotation between the first screen and the second screen.10. The device of claim 1, wherein the first hinge pair includes a firstgear rotatably coupled to a link gear.
 11. The device of claim 1,further including a third hinge pair disposed between the first screenand the second screen.
 12. The device of claim 1, further including afirst torque plate and a second torque plate disposed between the firstscreen and the second screen.
 13. The device of claim 12, furtherincluding a first gear, a second gear, and a link gear, wherein thefirst torque plate is coupled to the first gear via a first hinge pin,the first torque plate is coupled to the link gear via a second hingepin, the second torque plate is coupled to the link gear via a thirdhinge pin, and the second torque plate is coupled to the second gear viaa fourth hinge pin.
 14. The device of claim 1, further including aflexible printed circuit disposed between the first screen, the firsthinge pair, the second hinge pair, and the second screen.
 15. The deviceof claim 1, further including a fabric covering to cover the hingeassembly.
 16. A device comprising: a first screen having a first end anda second end; a second screen having a first end and a second end; and ahinge assembly to couple the first screen and the second screen, thehinge assembly including: a first hinge pair including: a first gearrotatably coupled to a link gear; and a second gear rotatably coupled tothe link gear; and a second hinge pair, the first hinge pair and thesecond hinge pair to cause the first end of the first screen and thefirst end of the second screen to be separated a first distance when thedevice is in a closed position, wherein the second end of the firstscreen and the second end of the second screen are separated a seconddistance when the device is in a closed position, the second distanceless than the first distance.
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein thefirst distance creates a gap when the device is in the closed position.18. The device of claim 17, further including a physical keyboardstowable in the gap.
 19. The device of claim 16, wherein the first gearis coupled to a first end of the link gear and the second gear iscoupled to a second end of the link gear, the second end opposite thefirst end.
 20. The device of claim 16, wherein the first gear includes afirst extension disposed within a first chassis of the first screen andthe second gear includes a second extension disposed within a secondchassis of the second screen.
 21. A device comprising: a first screenhaving a first end and a second end; a second screen having a first endand a second end; and a hinge assembly to couple the first screen andthe second screen, the hinge assembly including: a first hinge pair; asecond hinge pair, the first hinge pair and the second hinge pair tocause the first end of the first screen and the first end of the secondscreen to be separated a first distance when the device is in a closedposition, wherein the second end of the first screen and the second endof the second screen are separated a second distance when the device isin a closed position, the second distance less than the first distance;and a third hinge pair disposed between the first screen and the secondscreen, wherein the third hinge pair includes a first sync gear coupledto a second sync gear.
 22. The device of claim 21, further including alink gear, wherein the first sync gear is coupled to the link gear via afirst hinge pin, and the second sync gear is couple to the link gear viaa second hinge pin.
 23. A device comprising: a first screen having afirst end and a second end; a second screen having a first end and asecond end; and a hinge assembly to couple the first screen and thesecond screen, the hinge assembly including: a first hinge pair; asecond hinge pair, the first hinge pair and the second hinge pair tocause the first end of the first screen and the first end of the secondscreen to be separated a first distance when the device is in a closedposition, wherein the second end of the first screen and the second endof the second screen are separated a second distance when the device isin a closed position, the second distance less than the first distance;a first torque plate and a second torque plate disposed between thefirst screen and the second screen; a first gear, a second gear, and alink gear, wherein the first torque plate is coupled to the first gearvia a first hinge pin, the first torque plate is coupled to the linkgear via a second hinge pin, the second torque plate is coupled to thelink gear via a third hinge pin, and the second torque plate is coupledto the second gear via a fourth hinge pin; and a third torque platecoupled to the second hinge pin and the third hinge pin.
 24. A devicecomprising: a first screen having a first end and a second end; a secondscreen having a first end and a second end; and a hinge assembly tocouple the first screen and the second screen, the hinge assemblyincluding: a first hinge pair; a second hinge pair, the first hinge pairand the second hinge pair to cause the first end of the first screen andthe first end of the second screen to be separated a first distance whenthe device is in a closed position, wherein the second end of the firstscreen and the second end of the second screen are separated a seconddistance when the device is in a closed position, the second distanceless than the first distance; a first torque plate and a second torqueplate disposed between the first screen and the second screen; a firstgear, a second gear, and a link gear, wherein the first torque plate iscoupled to the first gear via a first hinge pin, the first torque plateis coupled to the link gear via a second hinge pin, the second torqueplate is coupled to the link gear via a third hinge pin, and the secondtorque plate is coupled to the second gear via a fourth hinge pin; and athird hinge pair disposed between the first screen and the secondscreen, wherein the third hinge pair includes a first sync gear coupledto a second sync gear, the first sync gear coupled to the first hingepin and the second hinge pin, the second sync gear coupled to the thirdhinge pin and the fourth hinge pin.